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419974

Bacterial Distribution in Autistic and Non-Autistic Children with Dental Caries, in Thi-Qar Province Iraq

Article

Last updated: 09 Apr 2025

OverviewSimilar Items

Subjects

-

Tags

Oral microbiology.

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is a widespread oral disease, with autistic children potentially being at higher risk due to challenges in maintaining oral hygiene and specific dietary habits. Particularly in Iraq, the role of oral microbiota in autistic individuals remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to isolate bacterial pathogens of dental caries in three groups of children, with special emphasis on Streptococcus mutans and its role in dental caries diseases. Methodology:  This cross-sectional study was conducted in Thi-Qar province, Iraq, including 170 children (70 autistics with dental caries, 70 non-autistic with dental caries, and 30 healthy controls). Dental plaque samples were collected and cultured on selective media. Bacterial isolates were identified using biochemical tests, API 20 Strep, and the VITEK 2 Compact system. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.26. Results: Gram-positive bacteria were the most prevalent (77%), with Streptococcus spp. being the dominant genus (55.34%). Streptococcus mutans was significantly more common in autistic children compared to non-autistic children (p < 0.05). Urban residence was associated with a higher prevalence of dental caries in autistic children, while non-autistic children from rural areas exhibited more bacterial diversity.   Conclusion:  Autistic children exhibited a distinct bacterial distribution in dental caries, with S. mutans being the predominant pathogen. This highlights the need for targeted oral health interventions to reduce dental caries risk in this population.

DOI

10.21608/ejmm.2025.370774.1531

Keywords

autism, dental caries, Streptococcus mutans, bacterial distribution, Oral microbiota

Authors

First Name

Nawal

Last Name

Daish

MiddleName

F.

Affiliation

Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Thi-Qar, 64001, Iraq

Email

nwal.f.msc@utq.edu.iq

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Faten

Last Name

Abbas

MiddleName

N.

Affiliation

Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Thi-Qar, 64001, Iraq

Email

faten-na@utq.edu.iq

City

Nassiriyah

Orcid

-

Volume

34

Article Issue

3

Related Issue

53640

Issue Date

2025-07-01

Receive Date

2025-03-24

Publish Date

2025-07-01

Print ISSN

1110-2179

Online ISSN

2537-0979

Link

https://ejmm.journals.ekb.eg/article_419974.html

Detail API

http://journals.ekb.eg?_action=service&article_code=419974

Order

419,974

Type

New and original researches in the field of Microbiology.

Type Code

2,038

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Egyptian Journal of Medical Microbiology

Publication Link

https://ejmm.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Bacterial Distribution in Autistic and Non-Autistic Children with Dental Caries, in Thi-Qar Province Iraq

Details

Type

Article

Created At

09 Apr 2025